Civilian Tactical Handgun Training

Training Program Courses

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Civilian Tactical Handgun Training prepares law abiding citizens for safe and responsible gun ownership and Concealed Carry. Students receive hands-on instruction from qualified Firearms Instructors, using state of the art presentations with laser and Simunition training handguns, all in a comfortable and friendly environment.

The multi-phase training builds on each subsequent course and assists students with the development of a personal self-defense plan. All students enrolling in the Civilian Tactical Handgun Training program must complete the Handgun Safety Course taught at the Sheriff's Office, regardless of prior training or being a Pistol Permit holder.

Lecture Style Presentations

Handgun Safety Course

The Handgun Safety Course introduces students to basic operations of a handgun, safe gun handling, and general information related to confident and proficient gun ownership. The course focuses on aspects related to Concealed Carry and includes an overview of the Pistol Permit application process and the New York State Penal Law Article 35. Students will demonstrate basic safety and operational skills using simunition training handguns, under the supervision of qualified Firearms Instructors. Cost: $60

Use of Force/NYS Penal Law Article 35

The Use of Force course is a review of the elements of NYS Penal Law Article 35 related to the use of Deadly Physical Force. Using a series of videos featuring real life encounters students are encouraged to engage in a discussion of Justification for the Use of Force. Students may enroll in the Use of Force Course any time after they have completed the Handgun Safety Course (taken at the Sheriff’s Office location). Cost: No charge

Civilian Response to a Hostile Event

The Civilian Response to a Hostile Event course is a two-hour presentation with Q & A, preparing civilians for the reality of violent encounters. Students may enroll in the Course any time after they have completed the Handgun Safety Course (taken at the Sheriff’s Office location). Cost: No charge

Simunition & Laser Shooting Courses

Fundamentals of Tactical Handgun FOTH)

The Fundamentals of Tactical Handgun course is four and one-half hours of hands-on instruction and step by step practical application of the fundamentals of shooting. Students develop and perform basic shooting skills using simunition training handguns. Completion of the Handgun Safety Course taken at the Sheriff’s Office is required prior to enrollment in FOTH. Pistol Permit is not required. Cost: $85

Tactical Mindset (TM)

The Tactical Mindset course is four and one-half hours of classroom instruction and practical application using simunition and laser handguns, with video simulated real-world scenarios. The course focuses on preparation for real world encounters with a basic introduction to situational awareness, hardening a target, physical and emotional responses to an attack, and fundamentals of defensive shooting. The course prepares civilians for Concealed Carry and development of a personal self-defense plan. Completion of Fundamentals of Tactical Handgun is required to enroll. Pistol Permit is not required. Cost: $85

Tactical Decision Making (TDM)

The Tactical Decision Making course is two hours of one on one real-world scenario training with Police Firearms Trainers at the Orange County TAC House. The training consists of reality based scenarios inside the home and away from home using simunition training handguns. Students make shoot/don’t shoot decisions and learn important life saving strategies needed to survive a violent encounter. To enroll in TDM students must complete the Tactical Mindset course. Pistol Permit is not required. * TDM is not designed for those with law enforcement or military training. Cost: $75

Live Fire Shooting Courses

Tactical Firearms Training (TFT)

The Tactical Firearms Training course is four hours of small group training at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Range/Tactical Training Facility. The course is live fire and students review and perform skills learned in previous program training courses. Handgun Safety, Fundamentals of Tactical Handgun, Tactical Mindset, and Tactical Decision Making must be completed before enrollment in TFT. Pistol Permit is required.Cost: $75

Women's Program

The Women's Program empowers women gun owners by offering opportunities for likeminded women to gather for social, educational, and training purposes. Many women enrolled in the Women's Program are students who have completed Civilian Tactical Handgun Training courses. The Sheriff's Office also invites women who have a Pistol Permit, are in the application process, or are considering obtaining a Pistol Permit to attend the OCSO Women's Carry Concealed Forum.

Scheduled women's events will be announced through email. To be added to the Women's Program Email List please send an email with your name, email address, and phone number.